“Should I Ask Out My Hot Massage Therapist?”

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You might remember me as “Love Me, Love My Dog.” I broke up with my slightly-younger boyfriend because he was jealous of my dog (and other reasons). I updated once before about our breakup. Now, I need some new advice!

I’ve been going to my massage therapist for over a year now – I randomly found him via an online deal and became a regular client of his almost immediately. He is amazing and we have a very strong connection. He has a Master’s in literature (I’m a writer and was an English major); he’s brilliant, hilarious, erudite, introspective, and genuine, as well as gorgeous. During my hour-long massages we spend the entire time talking with each other – he tells me about his family, his aspirations, his inner reflections, everything under the sun. Oftentimes our exchanges leave him laughing so hard he has to pause the massage. We give each other book, TV, and music recommendations, and I even wrote about him in my blog – twice – and he loved my writing. Seeing him is one of the highlights of my month. (Side note: I’ve gifted massages with him to several of my girlfriends over the past year and all of them confirm that he doesn’t talk to them at all like he talks to me during the massage.)

When I first started going to him last year, he was recently separated – he’s 10 years older than I am and has two young children. For the record, if it matters, he left his ex-wife after many years of feeling emasculated and unappreciated. At that time, he was understandably not looking to date anyone. Now, more than a year later, he says that he is starting to feel more ready to date again. He tells me about older women (in their late 40s or 50s, mostly ex-clients – he’s also a personal trainer) who ask him out after their divorces, but he’s not interested in any of them.

Over the last few months, I’ve been going to see him on weekday evenings. I’m his last appointment and he often extends my massage or chats with me while he closes up the studio and walks me to my car. This past week, he was so wrapped up in conversation with me he forgot to take my payment for the massage and I had to remind him. He later texted me saying, “Sorry if I was a chatty Cathy – you bring it out in me!”

I’ve pretty much always had a bit of a schoolgirl crush on him, but lately I find my thoughts lingering on him constantly and I’d just like to spend some time with him outside of the massage studio. He’s awesome and I’d really like to get a drink with him and talk when we don’t have a time limit (and I’m fully dressed and upright!). But I’m a client! I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Bonus points – I know he loves dogs because he has a yellow lab who hangs out with him at the massage studio – and he even trusted me enough to let me walk him around the neighborhood while he was massaging a friend of mine. A genius dreamboat who loves dogs! What’s a girl to do?

Thank you so much, again, for any advice! — Touchy Feely

Gurrrl, ask him out! He sounds interested, and what do you have to lose? Oh wait, a great massage therapist, I guess. But there are others! If you ask him out and he says no and it’s weird — or if he says yes and you go out and it’s weird — you might feel too awkward to keep seeing him for regular massages. That’s the added risk (in addition to potential rejection). If you think it’s worth the risk — and he sounds like such a great match for you! — I’d tell him after your next massage that you enjoy talking to him so much that you’d love to extend your conversation beyond the massage studio. And then ask if he’s free to get a drink (or a green tea, or a bite to eat, or just go for a walk) when he gets off. If he’s interested in you (and in taking the risk of potentially losing a steady client if things get weird) he’ll say “yes” if he’s free or suggest another time when he is. From there, just let nature take its course. If you aren’t sure if it’s a date-date, kiss him. That’ll definitely answer any lingering doubts.

As a massage therapist, I can tell you that this does not happen that often. Many of us (and ALL of the therapists I know), also have zero tolerance for jokes about this (happy endings and such. That’s sex for money and most massage therapists aren’t in the sex trade.). Sometimes men do get a partial erection due to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (aka – relaxation response), but it fades very quickly and is totally different than a “turned on” erection. Obviously, women don’t have the same visual signs, but Im sure there is a range there, too. But, getting turned on in a massage isn’t a common response, generally. I get that people like to giggle about this stuff, but to me, it comes down to a safety issue – would you want to worry about your friend, sister, partner, whatever being sexually harassed (or worse) while trying to administer a therapeutic treatment? Of course not. And it happens. ALL.THE.TIME. In office settings with other people right outside the door. It’s not OK. This sounds like a lecture! 🙂 It’s more me trying to educate what happens and what its like to be on the receiving end of what people think I do for a living. Now….if your getting turned on is a really legitimate situation perhaps you have really sensitive nerves (say…if it always happens when they work on your legs) and you can ask to have that part of the body skipped over.

Oh, I hope I didn’t come across as a jerk. You make really good points. I’m probably just watching too much porn, ha. Sorry if I insulted you, but I am really surprised that you say its uncommon (actually, I was surprised yesterday too).

Thanks, LBH. I actually thought you might have thought my comment a bit overbearing and rude and Im so glad you didn’t. Because I didn’t intend it that way 🙂 I get on my soapbox about few things, but that’s one of them. You are a cool person – not a jerk, I promise! About it being uncommon, I guess I can’t say that for sure. Though, with men it’s a bit obvious so I want to say it’s uncommon. But people experience a turned on feeling in many ways, so I guess I probably don’t really know for certain after all! Eek!

is there like some rule that a massage therapist cant date their clients? like not a law or whatever but like, code of conduct at the spa he works at? that is the only thing i could see complicating this.

I can’t reply to comments on my phone, but lbh’s comment made me laugh out loud.

WWS… Just bring up extending the conversation somewhere else. If he works for someone, they probably do sign an ethics/ code of conduct document. If things work out, maybe he can recommend another massage therapist, or you know, give you free ones in your alone time 😉

Hate to burst the LWs bubble, but this isn’t too much different than a guy going into a strip joint and swearing that the dancer likes him because she pays attention to him even though he is paying her. People will be extra nice to you if you are paying them money. Don’t confuse good business practice with attraction.
You have nothing to lose by asking him out-maybe he thinks of you that way. But it would be remiss if someone didn’t point out the fact hat you are paying him regularly and referring him clients and that can be one of the reasons why he is extra nice or flirty with you.

I wouldn’t be surprised if his other clients that asked him out (that he declined) also felt they had a good connection with him. They interpreted his good business practice as interest on his part and they found out the hard way it wasn’t going to happen. You seem to be going down that same path.

John, you might be right about his motives – I haven’t counted that possibility out, and probably some if it *is* that, but it sure would be nice if it was more. And I should clarify, he actually *did* go out with several of the ex-clients, but it didn’t work out with them for one reason or another – most of which he has already detailed to me as well. Just thought I’d add that info.

I’d ask him if he fancied continuing the chat at a local coffee spot after one of your lingering, extended sessions, and feel him out then on why he said he wasn’t interested in the other women? Like, if it was a professional line that he’d never cross or whether he just didn’t fancy them. And then make my move accordingly 🙂

My husband works as a massage therapist, and my answer is NO DO NOT ASK HIM OUT! Unless you are totally willing to find another massage therapist because it would most likely ruin your relationship. You have a professional relationship, and since he is most likely a licensed health professional, he is not allowed to go out with you. There are strict professional rules about this stuff. You are most likely experiencing “transference”, a term used in psychology circles. Look it up. Basically, if you would not ask out your psychologist or counselor or therapist (which I suggest you most certainly do not!) you would not ask out any other health professional. Especially one who touches you in a professional way. And I would suggest you start seeing a FEMALE massage therapist immediately since if you are heterosexual, you would be able to keep the relationship therapeutic. I know if a female client asked my husband out, he would be completely skeeved out and it would be AWKWARD!

If the guy is a licensed massage therapist, he is bound by a professional ethical code which (in every case I’ve ever known) includes not sleeping with clients. So if you want to date him, you can’t be his client any more. And if you ask him out and he declines, the relationship may become awkward and you won’t want to be his client any more. So, you need to decide if you are willing to permanently give up this man as your massage therapist in order to date him. Personally, I wouldn’t give up an awesome professional relationship for a romantic relationship that is statistically likely to fail. But that’s just practical old me.

I don’t think Sue’s analogy with her husband is relevant, since this guy is not just single, but also making his personal life a topic of conversation.

Oh I thought that it was just like known information the LW would have to find a new massage therapist. I don’t think anyone is assuming that she is going to continue seeing this guy in a professional capacity.

I disagree with the “find a female massage therapist” part, but I think otherwise you’re right. To me this is one instance where the whole “what if the genders were reversed?” question actually makes sense. If I were a massage therapist, I would NOT want to be asked out by a client. It’s just too awkward in my opinion and it could hurt his reputation. If LW goes ahead, then she has to expect at the very least that it will have been her last massage with this therapist.

I’ll say, be careful, but no harm in testing the waters a bit more. Also im kind of surprised that Sue Jones has so many thumbs down ( i really missed these thumbs by the way, its been a while since i checked in) everyone seems so sure , yet one or two different opinions are frowned upon so much haha. I mean, John does have a pretty valid point…anyway, best of luck to you LW just please know your answer can only go one of two ways, be prepared for the “no thanks” or something along those lines. If he is as great, at the massages, then the “no thanks” might make it a bit awkward for both of you in the future. Have a great week everyone!

Ha, I wouldn’t think too much about the thumbs. I would say you had some controversial things in there (like pathologizing the LW – is that really necessary?), but the bar is lower to do a quick thumbs down than actually respond to what you say. So I’d listen to more what the people actually responded with, like comparing your married husband to this single massage therapist who overshares with his client.

Sue, I did not respond right away because your comment did hurt and upset me and I didn’t want to be one of those LWs who is knee-jerk defensive, so I went by the safer way of keeping my mouth shut until I could respond in an intelligent and rational manner.

However, I will say that I do know what transference is, thanks, my mother is a counselor, and no, this is not that. Our conversations and connection are way beyond that. I gave plenty of examples in my letter so I hoped that would be enough to inform Wendy and other commenters that this isn’t just a case of transference. The massages he gives me are actually deep-tissue and often hurt me quite a bit; to be honest there is absolutely nothing sexual about them. The emotional connection we have is what I’m attracted to, not his touch.

Also, incidentally, if I can help it, I will never go to a female massage therapist. I have tried several others in the past before I found my current therapist, and I never got a satisfactory massage from a female. I’ve (also incidentally) gotten professional massages from several other men, and have not had this kind of connection (again, emotional) with them either.

I would again echo what I wrote in my letter and add to what others have kindly said: there is a huge difference between your husband and my single massage therapist who shares a lot about his life with me.

Anyway, all that said, everyone’s responses have definitely given me pause about the situation. I think I will continue to see him as my therapist and see what develops, but most likely let him take the lead if he wants anything more with me. We are already very close; he has to know I have a crush on him, so if it’s meant to be it will be.

Boo! No one wants a mature, thoughtful LW, LW. We want juicy gossip about how you confessed your attraction to him and made out with him right there on the table! There you go ruining it all with patience and perspective.
/s
P.S. Although there are lots of valid points, someone before said that it’s easy to find a massage therapist, but hard to find a boyfriend. Don’t let us cower you into not making a move it you really think there’s something there.

The last thing I want when I get a massage is to chat. I get about two massages a year so I don’t have a personal relationship with any one masseuse, but I concentrate on relaxing while I’m being massaged; I don’t want to talk about my life or hear about hers. Outside of the massage room, sure, but not while I’m trying to relax.

His comment about feeling emasculated and unappreciated is a red flag. Honestly, he sounds a little pitiful telling this to a client. Ok, she’s more than a client now, but still.
I also flagged at her feeling grateful that he let her walk his dog. Well, she did say she had a schoolgirl crush on him.

No, dont ask him out. you can enjoy the thrill of fancying him as long as you like, but leave it up to him to break the professonal bond.
Its occurred to me that youre probably not getting the full benefit of the therapy if youre having intrusive thoughts, no matter how enjoyable. Much of the clinical benefit is highly dependent on the mind-body connection. The activity in your mind isnt lining up with the therapeutic goal. LIke, if you went to yoga and the instructor was flirtng with the class, you wouldnt get the deep tranquil vibey OM feeling. would you?

I started seeing my kung fu instructor – attended his classes for about six-months until I graduated to the advanced team. We’re still together and honestly it was really easy to be professional while training – ’cause that’s how me met. We also worked out one-on-one without issues both predating and dating.
However we knew eachother for 6 months working together on projects for our club and talking LOTS outside both f2f and on facebook (like hours every night), so when we moved in for the kill we were both really, really sure that we wanted to be together and that we would have the kind of relationship were we could manage the setting.

So, a couple of people pointed out the licensing/ethical restrictions, but something no one pointed out — and, keep in mind, I know nothing about the kinds of licensing massage therapists need to have — is that some professional licenses not only forbid you from engaging in a relationship with a CURRENT client, but even a PAST client. As a lawyer, for example, my attorney-client relationship lasts for life; even if I finished representing the woman a decade ago I’d still have to turn her down if she asked me out. And if I didn’t, and I got caught, I could get anywhere from a private reprimand to a straight-up license suspension.
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So while I understand the idea of “go for it,” I’d at least double-check the rules of the license before you make a step. Otherwise, you might not only get shot down but ALSO lose him as your massage therapist, and that would suck.

I don’t know about the law, but LW should definitely take into account that it’s not a “if I get shot down, I can still keep him as my massage therapist” situation. It’s likely that the professional relationship would turn awkward. So whatever the outcome with regard to dating him, he’ll likely not be her therapist anymore if she goes for it.

As a massage therapist, I can tell you this is really really really delicate issue. From what I know, it’s not illegal for either party to ask out the other. However, it is absolutely ethically iffy for you to continue your professional relationship while having a personal one. I am licensed in NY which has some of the strictest rules in the country and we had lots of classes about this kind of thing. It’s a power differential – you are in a state of partial (or full) undress lying down and he is fully dressed and upright. You are in a vulnerable position when on the table giving him the power. That’s just the fact of it (not even taking the flirtation into account). His lack of personal boundaries during the session (sharing WAY too much) is also questionable ethically. Frankly, if he likes you, he should have been professional and ended your therapist/client relationship ages ago out of respect, but he clearly has boundary issues. You certainly can ask him out. But, if he says yes, then you must discontinue your professional relationship immediately. And he should probably document it (as part of his session notes) with the date, etc. There have been lawsuits initiated from both sides when the relationship goes sour and one person tries to sue the other for something (therapist says the client sexually harassed them, the client says the therapist assaulted them during a massage, etc.). Third parties have also gotten involved making claims on other people’s situations (exes, disgruntled clients etc.) Dramatic, I know 🙂 But it’s not worth getting burned for. Just document, document, document (for BOTH of your protection). And then go live happily ever after.

Just wanted to add that at my husband’s massage clinic, if there were these sort of boundary issues on the part of the therapist that became known to the boss, that person would be reprimanded if not fired. He is walking a thin line and I would wonder at the very least about dating someone who fuzzed the professional line that way…

I should also add that I live in a part of the country where wholistic medicine and massage and such are taken very seriously as serious professions in order to distinguish from other sorts of “massage parlours” where they offer “happy endings” and such as fronts for prostitution.

This is a serious professional issue for legitimate and highly trained massage therapists. I think female massage therapists tend to bear the brunt of all that crap…

I belonged to a massage community wherein we all massaged each other. The only money involved was the flat rate monthly membership fee. Quite often sexual arousal happened during a massage but the rules expressly prohibited acting on it within the facility and you would be evicted if you got caught. Home wasn’t that far away so “your place or mine”. A lot of marriages spawned from there, mine included. Dam shame it no longer exists.

It is considered both illegal and unethical for a therapist to have a romantic/sexual relationship with a client. It is not allowed until at least 6 months after the therapeutic relationship has ended. It would be virtually impossible for the relationship to be equal anyway, because of the power imbalance, both physically and financially.

Most of the romances that get started between therapist and client end up disastrously and cause a lot of psychological, and often permanent harm, especially to the client, and the therapist risks loss of license, and loss of other clients who invariably become away of the serious breach of professional ethics.